Planning for functional operations of non-motorized and motorized transportation in the Central Business District of Maseru - Lesotho

Abstract

This study focusses on the planning for functional operations of Non-Motorized and Motorized transportation in the Central Business of Maseru - Lesotho. This has been done within the framework of the existing transport circulation system of the study area. The importance of transport in urban areas can not be underestimated. Transport is the circulation system of any urban area, and it connects the land-uses in space. It connects other parts of the urban areas to one another. Transport provides accessibility while accessibility is one of the most critical determinants of location of sites and resources. The transport system should provide a balanced set of public and private modes which can serve a given area in the prevailing social, economic and environemtnal circumstances - be convinient, reliable and safe for both users and non-users,with appropriate considerations given to non-motorized transportation. The study highlights the problems encountered within the area of study - this inculdes, the walking pavements which are inadequate and very narrow. In some cases the pavements are taken over by other activities such as trading. It was also observed that, Kingsway Highway - the principal business, shopping street and most direct favourd route for travelling to the border post from virtually all areas outside Maseru is under severe traffic congestion. The main bus terminus which serves as the inter-change point between regional buses and between buses and taxis is grossly overcrowded and is under continous threat by commercial development. From the above outlined findings in the study areas revealed that Maseru has been growing without any comprehensive transport plan - hence there is conflict between nonmotorized and motorized modes. In a way of counteracting the above outlined problems, the study has come up with a policy recommendations by way of a design plan. It could then be concluded that the planning for functional operations of NMT and MT should be given a priority. The study notes that the conflict between such modes continue to reach unproportional levels in the CBD of Maseru